Krys Kestrel

Before we delve into all the books I’ve read this year, I’d like to start out by saying that I did not read as much as I would have liked to. I set my Goodreads challenge for 21 books, and only ended up reading 13 (15 if you count re-reading). That being said, I read more than I did in 2020, so let’s just chalk up this year as a win!

1.What To Do When I’m Gone – Suzy Hopkins & Hallie Bateman

This was my first read of the year, and it was one that I picked up on a whim while at the library one day. I picked it up along with the next two books on my list, and due to an abundance of free time that day, I decided to sit down and read it in the library. I fell in love with this book, and consumed it all in one sitting, only taking brief pauses at certain pages to take a breath and collect myself. This book filled me with raw emotion, and I could tell from reading it just how much care was put into the writing and illustration of this story. Immediately after finishing the book, I left my other two books with the librarian temporarily and went out to my car to cry. I called my mother, I cried to her, and I told her how much I loved her. After a good, cathartic conversation, I went back inside, and took my other books home. I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone who has a child or has a decent relationship with their mom. This story discusses loss, grief, heartache, and appreciation of the little things in a way that made me feel invested and unable to close the book prior to finishing it.

2.We Were Liars – E. Lockhart

This book was one that I read for the first time a few years ago, at the height of its popularity. While it was a reread, I must admit that I did not remember a single thing that happened in the book except for the fact that it talked about some rich people on a private island of theirs. Going into this book blind for a second time was truly a great experience. Similar to the first book on my list, I read this within one sitting at a public park while sitting next to a lake, and by the end of it, I was left reeling. I was tracing through my short term memory for all the details in the book that were tied together by the end, and was just dumbfounded at how I could have possibly forgotten such an impactful ending. I thoroughly enjoyed this reread, and would love to reread it in a few years, once my memory of the details has paled once more.

3.Witchlight – Jessi Zabarsky

Looking back, I can definitely say I enjoyed this graphic novel. The illustration was cozy, the story was cute, and it was a fairly quick read. I was not one for graphic novels prior to 2021, but this was the first one that I took a chance on, only picking it up because of the beautiful cover art and witchy title, and I am so glad I took that chance. This book became the first of a few enjoyable reads in the form of graphic novels that acted as a nice break from the longer form books that I enjoyed throughout the year, while providing me an enjoyable story and lovely art to boot.

4.Teen Titans: Raven – Kami Garcia

Growing up with Teen Titans occasionally crossing my screen as a child, I always loved Raven. She was dark, mysterious, and had some pretty cool power in my opinion. Not to mention, her personality was one that I could relate to. A year or so ago, I came across Gabriel Picolo’s twitter account, where he had drawn some slice of life imaginings of the Teen Titans in the modern day – as teenagers/young adults that seemed relatable and real. I particularly fell in love with Raven’s modern reimagining, as I related to her sense of style. Finding out that his illustrations would come to life in a graphic novel series about the Teen Titans was exciting, and so I eagerly consumed Raven’s story as soon as I could get my hands on it. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Teen Titans, graphic novels, and magic.

5.The Martian – Andy Weir

The Martian was another reread for me, though I listened to this story through audiobook with its original narrator (or at least the one I first listened to), R.C. Bray. Bray brings the main character Watney to life super easily, and makes the already great and fun story feel more lifelike, personal, and witty. This novel is something I’d recommend to any science fiction lover out there if they for some reason hadn’t already read it. The movie adaptation is also brilliant, and prompted the reread of this novel.

6.Better Together – Christine Riccio

As a long time fan of Christine Riccio’s YouTube channel, I was eagerly awaiting her second novel’s release. While Again, But Better wasn’t my typical read, I enjoyed it and was happy to support her by preordering this novel. I have to say that I definitely enjoyed Better Together more than Riccio’s debut novel, and found the rom-com with a pinch of magic to be endearing and fun. The story reminded me of the movie 13 Going on 30 in the best ways possible, and told the story of two sisters experiencing a Parent Trap-esque time with their respective estranged parents. I would definitely recommend this novel as a light and fun read for all my fellow YA rom-com lovers.

7.You’ll Come Back to Yourself – Michaela Angemeer

This poetry collection by Michaela Angemeer was an impulse purchase while I was scrolling through Amazon’s collection of poetry books – prompted completely by the desire to read more poetry. In the same sort of free prose style as books like milk & honey by rupi Kait and whiskey words and a shovel I by r.h. sin, this book was an extremely quick read that I found relatability, rereadability, and plenty of emotion in. While I am still not the biggest poetry-consuming reader, I do enjoy the occasional collection, and this was no exception.

8.When He Leaves You – Michaela Angemeer

My second Angemeer collection was a gift from my partner, and was similarly a quick read on my part. I can’t remember which of the two I liked more, but I do know that I would like to reread both and enjoy some of the poems over and over again. If you are looking for easily consumable, emotional, and relatable poetry, I highly recommend Angemeer’s work.

9.Teen Titans: Beast Boy – Kami Garcia

Another realization of mine upon seeing Gabriel Picolo’s new Teen Titans was how much I loved Beast Boy and Raven’s relationship. Seeing them together made my heart glow and was absolutely something I wanted to read more about, and so naturally, this book made its way into my possession. Beast Boy’s characterization was so lovable, goofy, and absolutely what I was looking for going into this graphic novel. I read this mostly in preparation to read number 10 on my list, but enjoyed it thoroughly nonetheless.

10.Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven – Kami Garcia

Speaking of number 10, here we are. Beast Boy and Raven in this graphic novel are a wonderful pair. Not only is the story engaging, but seeing these two come together for the first time absolutely warmed my heart and provided me all the happy slice of life moments that I had been craving as the pair tour a new city for the first time. When danger strikes, these two are magnetic, and we as readers are also introduced to some more characters in this interesting world. I am not sure how true to the source material of Teen Titans that this graphic novel series is, but I am in love and cannot wait to see more from Garcia and Picolo.

11.The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson (x2)

This was an audiobook that I read not once, but twice during 2021. Mostly as a call-out to myself, I wanted to listen to this book to remind myself to care less about things that don’t matter, and care more about things that do matter. While I still am not perfect with this, this self-help book is something that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to and one I would happily listen to again should I need it. The narrator does a wonderful job of bringing the message to life, and makes the audiobook experience engaging and easily binge-able.

12.Everyone You Hate is Going to Die – Daniel Sloss (x2)

Being my favorite comedian to date, this book was an instant purchase for me with my monthly Audible credit (no, this post is not sponsored by Audible, though if Jeff Bezos is reading this, feel free to throw some money my way) once seeing Sloss promote the book on his social media. Listening to this book was absolutely a wonderful experience, as it acted as a sort of longer-form standup that was less focused on constant laughter and more focused on the witty, more thought out bits of Sloss’s comedy routines. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book twice in 2021, and anticipate another re-read of this in 2022 around the time where I rewatch all his comedy specials on Netflix.

13.The Love Hypothesis – Ali Hazelwood

The Love Hypothesis was my last read of the year, and I absolutely flew through it. Say what you will, but the fake dating trope did wonders for this novel. Not only that, but a sarcastic, intelligent love interest made me swoon and giggle throughout the entire reading process of the novel. I will say that I was unaware originally that there would be a steamy sex scene in the book, so beware if that’s something you need to watch out for. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with the characters, their story, and the absolute hilarity of some of the ridiculous ‘fake-dating’ tropes that we all know and love/love-to-hate. Highly recommend this book for a quick read in the realm of romance.

Looking back on all the books I’ve read and writing these brief recounts of my feelings definitely makes me realize that 1) I need to take better notes when I read books and 2) I read some pretty good books this year! I definitely want to read more in 2022, but for now we are setting the bar decently low at 12 books – one per month. Stay tuned for my thoughts on those, and you can check me out on Twitter to see my ramblings about whatever media I’m consuming at the moment. Until next time, let’s pick out my favorite book from this past year’s reads…

To absolutely no one who knows me’s surprise, I’d have to say that my favorite read was definitely a tie between Andy Weir’s The Martian and Daniel Sloss’s Everyone You Hate is Going to Die. So, if you’re looking for a place to start from my list, I’d start there. Anyways, that’s going to be all for today’s post – I am looking forward to more posts on writing, reading, and the occasional adventure in life in 2022! Wishing you all a wonderful new year, and I’ll see you soon!

Krys Kestrel